Udupi: Mangalorean Milagres Society, Mumbai Celebrates Centenary Year

Ivan Mascarenhas
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Oct 23: The Mangalorean Milagres Society, Bandra, Mumbai, commemorated their centenary celebration at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur on Sunday October 21.

The High Mass was held at the Cathedral by bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, along with Fr Stany B Lobo, rector, Udupi diocese, Milagres Cathedral, Fr Fredrick D’Souza, vicar, St Anna’s Church Thottam and Fr Agnelo D’Souza, Pilar Fathers Kallianpur.

After the Mass, the bishop released the Hymns Book which was donated by Milagres Society of Mumbai to the Milagres Cathedral. Vicar Fr Stany B Lobo congratulated the members of the society on the centenary celebrations.

The centenary celebration social gathering and get-together was held at the Milagres Tri-centenary Hall after the Mass, which was presided by the Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo.

Fr Stany B Lobo was the chief guest.

Dr Neri Cornelio, principal, Milagres College, Kallianpur, Pius Vaz, advocate, Bombay high court, Fr Fredrick D’Souza, vicar, St Anna’s Church Thottam, Stany D’Souza, president, Mangaloreans Society and general secretary Charles P Periera were the other guests present.

Fr Stany Lobo blessed the occasion. Bishop Gerlad Isaac Lobo said, “We should build on trust to uplift our people and work for the development of our society.”

Dr Neri Cornelio and Ronald Menezes also spoke on the occasion.

The bishop was felicitated by the Society officials on the occasion. The former members were felicitated by the present officials of the Society.
 
Entertainment programmes were also conducted by the Society. Live music by carol groups, Brahmavar and a comedy programme by “Bindas Pernal” group by Alwyn Danthi Pernal was regaled the gathering.

Ronald Menezes welcomed the gathering and Stany D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks. Leslie Aroza compered the programme.

About the Society

The Mangalorean Milagres Society, which was formerly known as the Kallianpur Milagres Club, is in the 100th year of its existence, having been established in 1913. Since its very beginning, the society has had a gradual but steady development.
 
In the early 20th century, people from the Christian community of Mangalore diocese came to Mumbai especially from Kallianpur, in search of jobs to earn their livelihood. They were poor, under-educated and their living condition was so bad that they had to live without a proper roof over their head and a few of them even resided in garages, which compelled them either to take a job as domestic helps or to go back to their native place. Looking at such living conditions, the Christian forefathers joined hands and planned to have a cheaper and common accommodation for them, especially for those coming especially from the Kallianpur Milagres parish. This helped them take up better jobs rather than working as domestic helps.

The credit for this establishment goes to three wise men, the late Peter Pereira, the Peter D’Souza and the late Paul Oliveira. Hence, the Kallianpur Milagres Club was born in the year 1913 in Mumbai, dedicated to the parish patroness of Our Lady of Miracles. The club not only became a place for such people to reside, but also to meet each other and share their joys and sorrows. Later on, a few other illustrious people of imagination, with determination and great vision promoted this club.

This club was housed in a small rented room called "Lood" at Bandra West. Later, it was renamed as ‘Mangalorean Milagres Club’ and the same name was retained till its registration in 1959. Its membership was open to all Catholics from the Mangalore Diocese.

In 1958, the general body decided to register the club and also negotiated to buy a piece of land for it. The club was registered in the name ‘The Mangalorean Milagres Society’ and a contract to buy the plot at 81, Hill Road Bandra, was signed and subsequently, the office of the Society and a part of the resident members were shifted to the new premise at 81, Hill Road, Bandra.

In the year 1974, the society’s Diamond Jubilee was celebrated with great success and in 1979, the foundation stone was laid for its new building called ‘Milagres House’ which was inaugurated in 1981.
 
In the year 1988, the society celebrated its Platinum Jubilee. In the year 2009, the vertical extension of the building was completed. In the same year August, a plot of land measuring about three acres at Shankerpura, Udupi, was purchased for establishing a Home for the Aged.

The present office bearers of the ‘Mangalorean Milagres Society’ are president Stany D’Souza, vice-president Peter R Gangulli, general secretary Charles P Periera, Katapady, joint secretaries Anthony Sequeira, Milagres Kallianpur and Ashok Sequiera, Mangalore, treasurer Robert Mascarenhas, Mangalore, assistant treasurer Nelish Suares, Milagres Kallianpur.
 
Arthur Vaz, Thottam and Ronald Menezes, Shirva are serving representatives from their native place.

At present, there are 1,090 registered members in the club, which includes 400 resident members of the society.